Expansible bracelet having two rows of tubular links joined by h-shaped connector



' y 1958 c. H. DOLANSKY I 2,333,113

EXPANSIBLE BRACELET HAVING TWO ROWS OF TUBULAR LINKS JOINED BY H-SHAPED CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 18, 1955 r 2 SheetsSheet 1 zga 6 i :16

J6 v JJ I )3 J ATTORNEYS May 6, 1958 c, H, o s 2,833,113

EXPANSIBLE BRACELET HAVING TWO ROWS 0F TUBULAR LINKS JOINED BY H-SHAPED CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

INVENTOR aux/716.55 H. OOM/KSA),

BY y jimmy;

United StatesPatentO EXPANSIBLE BRACELET HAVING TWO ROWS OF TUBULAR LINKS JOINED BY l-I-SHAPED CON- NECTOR Charles H. Dolansky, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Application November 18, 1955, Serial No. 547,788

10 Claims. (CI. 59-79) The invention relates to expansible bracelets, and more particularly to such bracelets intended to be used as watch straps.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a bracelet of durable and efficient construction which is nevertheless simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bracelet which will not catch the hairs on the wrist of the wearer and will thus avoid the discomfort which so often attends the wearing of such bracelets.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bracelet in which the connecting means are located in a protected position in the central part of the bracelet rather than at the outer ends of the links. Still another object of the invention is to provide a bracelet in which the connecting means between the two rows of units are substantially completely concealed.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 shows in top plan view a portion of a bracket embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section through a part of the bracelet in contracted condition, substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the bracelet in expanded condition;

Fig. 4 is an end view of one of the connecting parts;

Fig. 5 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 7 is a cross-section on the line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through one of the units of the front row taken centrally thereof;

Fig. 9 is a rear view of the central part of a unit of the front row; and

Fig. 10 is a side view of the central part of one of the units of the rear row.

The bracelet is formed of two rows of units, front units 2 and rear units 4, in the form of elongated shells 6 and 8 having their longitudinal axes in parallel Planes and extending transverse to the length of the bracelet.

Each unit of one row is connected to two links of the other, one row being thus staggered with respect to those of the' other row. The connecting means include a part shown in detail in Figs. 4 to 6, having elongated flat portions 10, 12 located in substantially parallel planes and a connecting portion '14 extending between and connecting the elongated portions. This connecting portion is shorter than the elongated flat portions and its located centrally thereof, so that the flat portions extend on either side of the connecting portion. The connecting portion may be slightly arched as shown in Fig. 4.

Portions 10, 12 normally rest flat against the inner faces of the outer. walls of shells 6 and 8 respectively, with part 14 extending across between the links of the two rows. The free edges of the two portions 10 in each "ice front unit face away from each other, while the free edges of portions 12 in each rear unit face towardseaeh other.

The shells 6, 8 have outer Walls, side walls and inwardly directed flanges 16, 18 respectively at the inner edges of the side walls. A notch 20 is provided in flange 16 in which connecting portion 14 can move, While flange 18 is provided with anotchr22 which also extends across the side wall of the shell 8 for the same purpose.

Arranged in each of the rear units between elongated portions 12 and flanges 18 is a bowed leaf spring having a central portion 24 engaging both the elongated portions 12 within the shell and end portions. 26 engaging the flanges. Arranged in each front shell are two curved leaf springs each having a portion 28 engaging both the portions 10 within the shell and having bent-over ends '30 engaging the flanges.

A decorative cover plate 32, which may 'be plane or suitably shaped and ornamented, is secured on the/outer face of each shell of the front row. This plate has side flanges 34 bent around the outside of the side walls of shell 6, and on the free edges of these flanges are tabs 36 bent into notches 20 to hold plates 32 in position. 1

The shells 8 have extensions 38of'their'oute'r walls which are bent over (Fig. 7) to close the end of the shells so as to ensure against the parts sliding out of the shells. Decorative plates 32 also have extensions 40 similarly bent over for th'esam'e'purpose'. Parts '40, 38 are preferably in the, same plane so that the edge of'the bracelet presentsa smooth surface..- '1

With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, when the'bracelet is expanded the connecting members rock from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig 3, the elongated flat portions fulcramming on the inner surfaces of the outer Walls of the shells and compressing springs 24, 28. When the tension is released, the springs restore the units to the contracted position shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 also shows that the side flanges 34 space the front shells by somewhat more than the width of the shells, so the rear shells are slightly spaced apart even when the bracelet is in retracted condition. As a result, the rear shells cannot clamp the hairs on the wearers wrist between them, and as a result the discomfort often connected with the wearing of such bracelets is avoided.

While I have described herein one embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except within the scope of the claims hereto or hereinafter appended.

I claim:

1. An expansible bracelet comprising two parallel rows of elongated units, the longitudinal axes of the units being located in parallel planes and extending transverse to the length of the bracelet, the units of one row being staggered with respect to those of the other row, and connecting means between each unit of one row and two units of the other row, each said connecting means comprising a part having two elongated flat portions located in substantially parallel spaced planes and a connecting portion extending between longitudinal edge portions thereof, located intermediate the length of and substantially shorter than said elongated flat portions, said units being hollow and said flat portions of each part being arranged one in a unit of one row and the other in a unit of the other row, said units having spaces through which the connecting member extends, and spring means in each unit engaging said elongated flat portions and resisting turning thereof, whereby said spring means tend to return the bracelet to retracted position.

2. In a device as claimed in claim 1, in which each unit includes a shell having an outer wall and side walls, said elongated flat portions engaging the inner faces of said outer Walls and being urged thereagainst by said spring means.

, 3 3. In a device as claimed in claim 2, the free edges of said elongated flat portions being directed towards each other in each unit of one row and away from each other in each unit of the other row. V p

4. In a device as claimed in claim 3, each shell having inwardly-turned flangles at its inner face, said spaces comprising notches located'centrally of the length of said flanges, and mating notches in the side walls of the units of at least one of the rows, said spring means including leaf springs within the shells abutting against said flanges. 5-. In a device as claimed in claim 4, plates secured on the outer faces of the front walls of the shells of one of the rows, the shells of the tworows being of equal width, said plates having flanges extendingover the side walls of the shells sothat the shells of the other row are spaced slightly apart when the bracelet is in retracted position.

6. In a device as claimed inclaim 1, the free edges of said elongated flat portions being directed towards each other in each unit of one row and away from each other in each unit of the other row. 1 I

7. In a device as claimed in claim 1, in which each unit includes :a shell having an outer wall and side walls,

saidelongated flat portions engaging the inner faces of said outer Walls and being urged thereagainst by said unit includes a shell having an outer wall and'side walls, said elongated flat portions engaging the inner faces of said outer walls and being urged thereagainst by said spring means, plates secured on the outer faces of the front Walls of the shells of one of the rows, the shells of the two rows being of equal width, said plates having flanges extending over the side walls of the shells so that the shells of the other row are spaced slightly apart when the bracelet is in retracted position.

9. In a device as claimed in claim 1, in which each unit includes a shell having an outer Wall and side walls, each shell having inwardly turned flanges at itsinner face, said spaces comprising notches located centrally of the length of said flanges, and mating notches in the side walls of the units of at least one of the rows, said spring means including leaf springs within the shells abutting against said flanges.

10. In a device as claimed in claim 1, in which each unit includes a shell having an outer wall and side walls, plates secured on the outer faces of the front walls of the shellsof one of the rows, the shells of the two rows being of equal width, said plates having flanges extending over the side walls of the shells so that the shells of the other row are spaced slightly apart when the bracelet is in retracted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 914,533 Thornton Mar. 9, 1909 1,203,271 Rioux Oct. 31, 1916 2,689,450 Stiegele Sept. 21, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 932,867 Germany Sept. 12, 1955 

